TNSO LEADERSHIP LINKS
April, 2024
Message from the President
Greetings, DKG Sisters.
Writing from my personal experience, I think leadership development is one of the areas in which DKG shines! One doesn't have to have a title or position. If you influence someone else, you are a leader. Our recent TNSO Beginning Leadership Seminar at Henry Horton State Park was an excellent example of how our organization provides tools, inspiration, and encouragement to members to grow both professionally and personally. Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan was the presenter of the seminar, and 16 ladies participated. Thank you to the Leadership Development Committee, chaired by Belinda Juergens, for a fun and engaging weekend.
Our first Leadership Training for Chapter Officers and Committee Chairs was held on March 23 in Jackson, TN. Forty-three ladies attended to learn more about their upcoming responsibilities as Chapter President, EEC Chair, Membership Chair, Communications Chair, and Chapter Treasurer. It is encouraging to see chapter members stepping up to these leadership roles. Thanks to TNSO Recording Secretary Dr. Regina Henry for facilitating the training, to our presenters, Dr. Linda Eller, Dr. Dianne Anderson, Chasity Ragsdale, and Judy England, and to Dee Dee Rives and Theta Chapter for providing the delicious lunch! We look forward to hosting more incoming leaders at the training sessions planned for East and Middle Tennessee. (see details below.)
The TNSO Executive Board meeting will be held virtually on May 19, 2024 at 2:30 P.M. Central Time. More details to follow in Chapter Presidents' Information below.
I hope everyone is looking forward to our 88th TNSO Convention at The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. The dates are May 30-June 1 and our International Representative will be Connie Rensink, International First Vice President. Outgoing and incoming Chapter Presidents will be presented at the Presidents' Banquet on Friday, May 31.
Be planning your chapter displays which will be set up in Convocation Hall on Thursday, May 30.
See attachment below for hostess chapters assigned to the 2024 convention.
More details and the registration form appear in the body of this newsletter.
If you are planning to attend the International Convention in National Harbor, Maryland, mark your calendars for Tennessee Night on July 12. (details and sign-up information below)
Tennessee has three members who have been nominated for International leadership positions: Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan - International President; Nancy Davis - Southeast Regional Director; and Dr. Elaine Vaughan - DKGIEF board. We also will be nominating Dr. Dianne Anderson from the floor for the International Finance Committee.
Congratulations to Dr. Dianne Anderson, Dr. Regina Henry, Chasity Ragsdale, and Terry Sharp for being accepted to DKG Ignite, the International Leadership Management Seminar in Austin, TX. We are so proud of our Tennessee leaders!
Please be sure and scroll down for new and updated information on events and happenings from officers and committees. I hope to see many of you at these events, or for a visit to your chapter. Please let me know if I can help or support you in any way.
In Harmony,
Marsha Brewer
615-838-1793
Beginning Leadership Seminar
Beginning Leadership Seminar
Chapter Officers Training
Incoming Chapter Presidents take a brain break with a "mirroring" exercise.
News "At a Glance"
ATTENTION PLEASE!!!
ATTENTION PLEASE!!!
Now is the time to be establishing your new slate of chapter officers for the 2024-2026 biennium. When your slate of officers is complete, you will need to fill out Form 110 (attached) and send it to tndkg.pres@gmail.com and to International at mem.dkg.org.
State level training for Chapter President, First Vice President/EEC Chair, Membership Chair, Communications Chair, and Chapter Treasurer will be held in East Tennessee on April 6, 2024 at Central High School, 5321 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918; and in Middle Tennessee on April 20, 2024 at Goodpasture Christian School, 619 West Due West Ave., Madison, TN 37115. Access the registration form here:
https://forms.gle/U67a32GVAuxj6Ssz5
The deadline to register for the East TN training is April 2, 2024. The deadline to register for the Middle Tennessee session is April 10, 2024. Incoming chapter officers will be able to register for whichever training is most convenient. Please reassure your members as they consider stepping up to a chapter officer position that we can offer support through our Area Directors, Chapter Strengthening Committee, Leadership Development Committee, and visits from the State President.
The TNSO Executive Board meeting will be held virtually on May 19, 2024 at 2:30 P.M. Central Time. https://forms.gle/eKBEbYY5AYDus6ic9
More details to follow in Chapter Presidents' Information below.
April 1 Deadlines from TNSO:
Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TdYXiT8ONLnEVexsYcmVZwEjyMTr59XI/edit#gid=1486696205
EEC Iris Award Applications
Chapter Bylaws and Rules (see attached schedule) emailed to (debramsmith@bellsouth.net)
April 5 Deadline from TNSO:
Convention Workshop Proposals
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCr6_7v7J8-orDq2m9vbL9-65V3Fw8DigtyI-KolmPxr2o1w/viewform
April 15 Deadlines from TNSO:
Committee/Officer/Related Personnel Reports
Documents to be included in 2024 Convention Program Book sent to Chasity Ragsdale, TNSO First Vice President
May 1 Deadlines from TNSO:
Form 6 reporting death of a member must be submitted to Dr. Linda Eller, TNSO Membership Chair, in order for the member to be included in the Ceremony of Remembrance Program at the state convention.
TNSO Convention, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN - 5/30-6/1, 2024 (See details under News of Committees - Convention Steering. May 1st is the cutoff for the discounted registration) Registration form can be accessed here:
https://forms.gle/nJSozSTKLNxftVDEA
Outgoing and incoming Chapter Presidents will be presented at the Presidents' Banquet on Friday, May 31.
Be planning your chapter displays which will be set up in Convocation Hall on Thursday, May 30.
See attachment below for hostess chapters assigned to the 2024 convention.
We are also looking for vendors for the convention. Vendors will be able to set up and sell on the opening night this year (Thursday, May 30) in the Art Gallery. Applications are due 5/1/24
https://forms.gle/hrdocfmtfPeZX57v6
Please sign up to attend Tennessee Night at the International Convention in National Harbor, MD. Our event will take place on Friday evening, July 12 from 6:30-8:30 P.M. at The Silver Diner. Cost is $48.00 per person. Sign-up here by June 5: https://forms.gle/iy9ktZLiXG1Touas5
From International:
Check the International Website www.dkg.com for information on the proposed amendments to the International Constitution. The proposed amendments are also published in the latest issue of the DKG News. (attached)
Teresa Cowan, Southeast Regional Director, would like for you to contact her at cowan2019eta@gmail.com if you are interested in the following:
Looking for DKG members who are interested in taking part in a DKG sponsored pilot program about photography strategies using a cell phone.
Looking for DKG K-2 educators who are interested in taking part in a DKG sponsored pilot program about K-2 literacy strategies.
Congratulations to Jeannette Esch of Alpha Xi Chapter for acceptance of two of her photographs to be displayed in the DKG International Fine Arts Gallery. We should be able to view these by mid April.
See CALENDAR at the end of this newsletter for deadlines from International.
From Nancy Davis, chair of the International Finance Committee:
The International Finance Committee will host a Treasurer Talk on Saturday April 6th at 9:00 am CST. The topics we will discuss are;
Dues Portal
Onboarding new treasurers
Form 15 and 16
Introduce our new International Headquarters Membership Director, Sy Stern
The zoom link will be sent to state presidents and state treasurers who are welcome to send the information to chapter treasurers.
Link to the obituary for DKG Past International President Carolyn Rants:
https://www.christysmith.com/obituaries/dr-carolyn-rants
Please also check out the Chapter Presidents' Information and News from Committees below. This section just includes those items/events with quickly approaching deadlines.
TNSO Members at US Forum
Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, Lynn Caruthers, Lindy McCrary, Pam Thompson, and Brenda Oldham represent TNSO in D.C.
Terry Sharp
TNSO 2nd VP Terry Sharp participated in an educational trip to Guatemala over spring break.
Beta Omega Chapter
Beta Omega Chapter met to work on "Little Dresses for Africa".
Chapter Presidents' Information
Matter of Importance!!
The TNSO Executive Board meeting will meet on Sunday, May 19 at 2:30 P.M. Central Time/3:30 P.M. Eastern Time to vote on the proposed budget and the proposed amendments to the bylaws and rules. The Tennessee State Organization must establish a quorum in order to vote on the items listed. Sign-up information will be available soon. As Chapter President, you are a member of the Executive Board. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can appoint a designee. Please complete this form to sign up: https://forms.gle/eKBEbYY5AYDus6ic9
The Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence application is due on April 1, 2024. The updated form is available on the state website and can be accessed here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TdYXiT8ONLnEVexsYcmVZwEjyMTr59XI/edit#gid=1486696205
A PDF version is included as an attachment at the end of this newsletter.
From Dr. Elaine Vaughan, Chapter Strengthening Chair 2023-2025:
Please send photos of new chapter officers and chapter activities to Dr. Elaine Vaughan for inclusion in the PowerPoint presentation at the Presidents' Banquet at the state convention.
Chapter Presidents/Treasurers, please join us in the “Reinstatement Campaign.” In a nutshell – we are reviewing all dropped members from the chapter, completing a Form 18A for members who have died (instead of a Form 6 which is for current members who pass away), then sending a letter encouraging members to consider reinstatement. If you would like to volunteer your chapter as a pilot chapter, please contact Elaine Vaughan (mevaughan@ortn.edu ) for more information.
State Presidents histories are now available on the TNDKG website under About Us - History.
The Avenue M Group DKG 2023 Research Report and Administrative Board Implementation Plan is now available. I encourage you to read this comprehensive report and our board's plan of action. the PDF is attached below.
Orlean Ophelia Bauman Literary Grant
Several members and chapters have reached out to Alpha Rho requesting information and suggestions on how best to honor TNSO First Vice President Orlean Bauman due to her recent passing. Alpha Rho Chapter will be accepting donations to the Tennessee State Organization Vision Foundation to establish a Vision Foundation Literacy Grant in Orlean’s name.
Contributions or bequests from chapters or individuals to the Vision Foundation are deductible as charitable contributions for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Donations to the Orlean Ophelia Bauman Literacy Grant (payable to the Xi State Vision Foundation) can be sent to:
Tennessee State Treasurer
Dr. Dianne Anderson
497 Como Street
McKenzie, TN 38201
For additional information, please contact Alpha Rho Chapter President Judy England at judydengland@gmail.com.
Videos of Chapter Projects (ongoing)
Chapter Presidents - I am asking that you make a video of your chapter service projects for this next biennium. Please begin your video with a greeting, your chapter name and location, and a few words about the project. Then just shoot some footage of your chapter and/or community members involved, and the finished product. My vision is for us to showcase your wonderful projects in "A Day of Service In Harmony" at some point during the year. If a video is not possible, please take lots of pictures!
From Marsha Brewer, TNSO President
Please share these Leadership Links with your chapter members each month. I am not planning to send out a separate email to members. I appreciate your help in keeping our members up to date on news and activities at the state and international level!
FORUM ON THE TNDKG WEBSITE! Our State Webmaster, Sherrie Collins, has created a forum on our website for members and non-members to ask education related questions and to receive help and support. We are currently developing the forum rules and parameters. If you have computer skills and would be willing to help moderate the forum, please email me and let me know. I think this can provide a valuable resource for our active educators and give everyone a voice.
Quilt by Joy Branham, Iota Chapter
Joy's lovely quilt is being displayed in the library at the Mountain Empire Community College in VA.
Gamma Nu Chapter Scholarship Winners
Gamma Nu Chapter Meeting
News of Committees
Many thanks to those of you who are serving on state committees for the 2023-2025 biennium. . Participating on a state committee is a great way to connect and network with members across the state, and to be involved in DKG at the state level.
From TNSO First Vice President Chasity Ragsdale to Officers, Committee Chairs, and Area Directors: If you have not set up your Google account, or had issues when setting it up, please send an email to: tndkg.corrsec@gmail.com Here is a video to help you set up your account:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1II_CiAWVeUQrYXACH9Ve7jWKNhdYPShn/view
Also, Chasity has a new email address: tndkg.1stvice@gmail.com
Please email any documents that need to be printed in the program book to Chasity Ragsdale (tndkg.1stvice@gmail.com) by April 15th.
Committee/Officer Reports are due by April 15. Here is the link to the template:
Many of our committees are excited to share information with you and want to keep you up to date on deadlines and events:
Harriet King and the Arts and Personal Growth Committee:
1) We would like to get together this spring for an outing. If your town or area has any special production we could see, please contact Harriet King at hking13@outlook.com with the information. TPAC will be presenting the Broadway production of Annie March 27-30, 2024. Romeo and Juliet will be performed by the Nashville Ballet April 20-21, 2024. Either of these would need to have tickets secured soon.
2) Chapter Presidents, It’s Time to Brag!
The Arts and Personal Growth Committee would like to remind all chapter
presidents that at the TN State Convention, you need to bring a display of the
chapter’s activities during your biennium. Each chapter will have half a table to
use for the display. If you are going to use a tablecloth, you must provide your
own. In order to know how many tables to request, please email hking13@outlook.com by May 15, 2024, if you plan to participate with a display or if you have any questions. Each chapter with a display will receive a Participation Certificate. We know that the chapters across this state do awesome projects and activities. Let’s share these ideas, so others may find new ways to help their community.
3 )We have confirmed the Venue in the Village at Casey Jones Village in Jackson for September 27-28, 2024, for our Creative Arts Retreat. We will send out more information about the price and availability of motels by April. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to come for a weekend of fun, fellowship and creativity!
Linda McCrary and the TNSO Bylaws and Rules Committee:
Thank you for submitting your chapter Rules for review by the TNSO Bylaws and Rules Committee. We appreciate you. If you were unable to submit your Rules in 2024 more information can be found at https://www.tndkg.org/. Click on Resources and scroll to Bylaws and Rules. This is also the location of the 2024 proposed Bylaws and Rules amendments. The proposed changes are also attached in this newsletter. Please contact Linda McCrary (615.888.7026 or lindamccrary72@gmail.com) with questions regarding the proposed amendments. Please contact Dr. Debra Messenger-Smith (drdmsmith1@gmail.com) regarding reviews of chapter Rules.
TNSO 2nd VP Terry Sharp and the Convention Steering Committee:
It's registration time for the 2024 TNSO Convention! We're looking forward to seeing all of you on the Mountain this year! We want to let you know that we have some changes in store this year, based on feedback. One of those includes changing one of our dorms to Humphreys to make it easier to access the parts of campus where we will be. The other big change will be to some of the menus. We know the menus have remained unchanged for a number of years, and sometimes bringing in some new recipes can freshen things up a bit. Fortunately for us, our fees are staying the same this year, so that won't be one of our changes.
Also, we'll be bringing back the campus bus tour with our favorite tour guide, Dee Dee Rives. She is a walking encyclopedia of all things Sewanee, and for newcomers and recent newcomers, this is a "not to be missed" experience. The ever popular tour of All Saints Chapel and the carillon tower will also be among the options for break-out sessions.
Here's the link for online registration: https://forms.gle/nJSozSTKLNxftVDEA
We're very excited to be with you all at the 2024 Convention, and we'll see you on the mountain!
Chasity Ragsdale and the TNSO Educational Excellence Committee:
Please continue sending in your excellent chapter programs and projects to be included on the EEC Corner Spotlight on the website.
Dr. Dorrie Powell and the TNSO Finance Committee:
Each biennium, the TNSO Finance Committee develops a two-year budget under which the state organization will operate for the second year of the current biennium and the first year of the next one. The proposed budget for 2024-2025/2025-2026 will be presented for approval during the TNSO Executive Board meeting May 19.
Please review the proposed budget attached to this issue of Leadership Links. For the sake of comparison, this proposed budget includes the budget amounts approved for 2022-2023/2023-2024. The proposed budget will also be on the agenda for the April 21 P2P meeting. If you have questions, please contact committee chair, Dr. Dorrie Powell, by email or phone: powell.dorrie@gmail.com or 731-234-5763.
Belinda Juergens and the TNSO Leadership Development Committee:
Mark your calendar for the second planned Beginning Leadership Seminar which is scheduled for September 13-14, 2024. More details to follow.
Dr. Carolyn Tucker and Brenda Oldham and the TNSO Legislation Committee:
Please contact Dr. Carolyn Tucker at ladybaldwintucker@gmail.com or Brenda Oldham at
travelers4043@bellsouth.net and let them know the contact information for your chapter Legislation Committee Chair. They would like to provide updates on legislative news and events.
Note: The Legislation Committee sponsored two legislative events in January, 2024: "A Virtual Workshop on Navigating the Legislative Website" on January 8 and "An Evening with Chris Ford - Effectively Communicating with Legislators" on January 22. If your chapter had even one member who attended one of these events, you can earn 5 points on the Maycie Award. Five additional points can be earned by attending chapter-sponsored legislative events. If a member of your chapter will be attending the US Forum in Washington, D.C. in March, 20 points can be counted toward the Legislative Award.
The TNSO Legislation Committee is encouraging members to contact Tennessee State Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee State Legislators regarding critical issues impacting education in Tennessee. DKG members and friends of education should make these contacts via visits to the hill, phone calls, email, texts and/or letters.
Dr. Linda Eller and the TNSO Membership Committee:
Question: Is your chapter required to vote on new members? See the answer in the attached document below from International, "Voting on a Member"
To be included in the Ceremony of Remembrance Program at the state convention, Form 6 needs to be submitted by May 1, 2024. Forms received after the deadline will be featured in the 2025 program.
The TNSO Membership Committee will be offering new awards this biennium for the chapter that reinstates the greatest percentage of dropped members. For the data on members from your chapter that have dropped that you would like to contact, email Linda Eller at tndkg.mem@gmail.com for a listing. Stay tuned for further details coming soon!
The75 page Membership Moments booklet can be found on the state website at www.tndkg.org or can be accessed here. https://www.tndkg.org/_files/ugd/4ad137_72ad2fda6a504ff99238137fd326ed82.pdf
Sandra Pineault and the Nominations Committee:
The Nominations Committee hopes that you are seriously thinking about applying to serve as a state officer or on an state elected committee—and that’s no April Fool’s Joke! We know that our state is rich with women possessing leadership skills and talent. That is all you need to serve in either capacity. Please consider committing to a greater engagement to DKG by applying for to be a state officer or to serve on an elected committee—Finance, Personnel, Nominations or the Vision Foundation Board.
Applications are found on the TN DKG website at https://www.tndkg.org/forms and are accepted through October 31, 2024. You could make a valuable contribution to the Tennessee State Organization in the 2025-27 biennium.
You can also use the QR code found in the attachment below.
Elaine Warwick and the TNSO Planning Committee:
TNSO Chapter Strategic Plan Update for 2023
The Planning Committee conducted a survey of all state chapters concerning the updating of their chapter strategic plan. The information gleaned from this survey is very enlightening and needs to be shared with all the stakeholders involved. Attached below is a summary of the chapter strategic plan survey results.
Please look at these results, share and discuss them with your chapter members. You will find that chapters have similar concerns such as membership retention and recruitment. Collaborate with other chapters in your area and find ways to help each other or share ideas. Contact your area director, TN Chapter Strengthening Committee, or other state officers if you need assistance in any way.
If you would like a copy of all survey results in an Excel spreadsheet, I would be happy to share it with you. Contact me at elainewarwick@att.net.
Cindy Lynn and the TNSO Scholarship Committee:
The Scholarship Committee would like to suggest that chapters continue to encourage members to apply for scholarships next year.
Linda Mann and Mildred Nelson and the TNSO Special Events Committee:
Chapters are encouraged to donate items for the Silent Auction for the 2024 TNSO Convention in Sewanee. Money raised through Special Events helps fund TNSO leadership opportunities. Our goal this year is to have 100% chapter participation. The Special Events Committee will continue to sell Iris-themed items such as the beautiful notecards. Vinyl decals for cups, mugs, and windows will be available also. Join us at the Silent Auction and see which chapter wins the trophy for most funds raised!
Mary Wadley and the TNSO State Projects Committee
EXCITING NEW STATE PROJECT - The TNSO State Projects Committee has received a Lucile Cornetet Seminar Award in the amount of $3064.00 And a Vision Foundation Award of $2500.00 to host three regional workshops for early career educators in the fall of 2024. Workshops have been scheduled for September 21, 2024 at St. Columba Retreat in Memphis, October 26, 2024 at The Dwelling Place in White Bluff, and November 16, 2024 at Falls Creek Falls State Park. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!! This is a positive step forward in our mission of supporting educators and excellence in education. Marketing materials will be available to distribute before the end of this school year.
Area Directors
Be sure and contact your Area Director and invite her to a chapter meeting. Your Area Directors are there to support your chapter, and to aid in organizing activities and gatherings within your area. The list of Area Directors is attached, as well as the Area Realignment map.
Contact your Area Director and ask about the possibility of some of your area chapters combining for a joint Orientation for new members. Any of our TNSO Officers and Related Personnel and our Chapter Strengthening Chair would love to be invited to help facilitate the orientation. They possess a wealth of knowledge about our society and they rarely have the opportunity to visit with chapters. Officers and Related Personnel include the following:
East Tennessee: 2nd VP Terry Sharp and Webmaster Sherrie Collins. Chapter Strengthening Committee Chair Dr. Elaine Vaughan.
Middle Tennessee: President Marsha Brewer, 1st VP Chasity Ragsdale, Recording Secretary Dr. Regina Henry, Corresponding Secretary Belinda Juergens, Executive Secretary Jenni Lusk, and Parliamentarian Dr. Kathie Harned
West Tennessee: Treasurer Dr. Dianne Anderson and Editor Michelle Steen.
Calendar
April 1, 2024 - Deadline to submit the Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence
April 1, 2024 - Deadline to submit Chapter Bylaws and Rules (see attached schedule)
April 2, 2024 - Deadline to register for Chapter Officers' Training in East Tennessee
April 6, 2024 - Chapter Officers' Training in East Tennessee
April 10, 2024 - Deadline to register for Chapter Officers' Training in Middle Tennessee
April 15, 2024 - Committee / Officer Reports Due
April 15, 2024 - International Convention Art Gallery Submission
April 20, 2024 - Chapter Officers' Training in Middle Tennessee
April 30, 2024 - Dissertation Recognition (International)
May 1, 2024 - Deadline to submit Form 6 for Ceremony of Remembrance Program
May 1, 2024 - Deadline to submit vendor application for state convention
May 1, 2024 - DKGIEF Cornetet CIPD Applications due
May 1, 2024 - Deadline for "Early Bird" Registration for the TNSO Convention
May 7, 2024 - Area II Pi Chapter Founders' Day
May 15, 2024 - Chapter Officers Report (form 110) due
May 19, 2024 - TNSO Executive Board Meeting (Virtual)
May 30 - June 1, 2024 - TNSO Convention in Sewanee, TN
June 5, 2024 - Deadline to register for Tennessee Night
July 9 - 13, 2024 - DKG International Convention in National Harbor, MD (Gaylord National, D.C. Area)
2023-2025 Tennessee State Officer Team
Chasity Ragsdale, First Vice President
Terry Sharp, Second Vice President
Dr. Regina Henry, Recording Secretary
Belinda Juergens, Corresponding Secretary
Dr. Dianne Anderson, Treasurer
Dr. Kathie Harned, Parliamentarian
Jennifer Lusk, Executive Secretary
Michelle Steen, Editor
Sherrie Collins, Webmaster
(Officers at Sewanee with International Executive Director Nita Scott. Not pictured - Dr. Kathie Harned, Belinda Juergens)